Hundreds of people have marched on the Russian embassy in London after the death of Vladimir Putin’s opponent Alexei Navalny.
Protesters chanting slogans critical of Putin gathered outside the embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens next to Hyde Park this evening.
People could be heard saying ‘Putin in is a murderer’, ‘the war must stop’ and ‘love is stronger than the war’.
Russian news outlets announced the death of the 47-year-old today – citing the Siberian prison service where he was serving his sentence – but gave no cause of death or further information.
The news sparked shock and anger around the globe, with world leaders and commentators quickly pointing the finger at the Kremlin.
Navalny was ‘brutally murdered by the Kremlin,’ Latvia’s president declared, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was ‘obvious’ Putin had ordered the dissident’s killing.
Hundreds of people have marched on the Russian embassy in London after the death of Vladimir Putin’s opponent Alexei Navalny
Russian news outlets announced the death of the 47-year-old today – citing the Siberian prison service where he was serving his sentence – but gave no cause of death or further information
Protesters chanting slogans critical of Putin gathered outside the embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens next to Hyde Park this evening
Navalny was ‘brutally murdered by the Kremlin,’ Latvia’s president declared, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was ‘obvious’ Putin had ordered the dissident’s killing
Victor, who moved to London after Ukraine war started, said at the protest: ‘We’re here to support his family and to show his family they’re not alone.
‘Russia is against the war no matter the propaganda’
Andrew from London added: ‘I wanted to do something. There isn’t much I can do but we’re showing we care.
‘We want to show with his death his ideas don’t die and we remember.’
Maria said: ‘We still have loved ones in Russia and it’s painful to watch what the country is going in to and you can’t stay silent
Red paint is smeared on a placard at the entrance to the Russian embassy amid protests
Members of the Russian diaspora protest the sudden death of Alexi Navalny outside the Russian Embassy
‘He was a symbol of what we are all fighting against. It’s ruined one of the core hopes for us.
‘This is just the tip of the iceberg. People go to prison for nothing.’
The protest in London comes following similar demonstrations in cities across Europe.
In Berlin, 500 to 600 people gathered in front of the Russian embassy chanting ‘Putin is a killer’ in a mixture of Russian, German and English.
Groups also gathered in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain among others.
The wife of outspoken Putin opponent Alexei Navalny has declared Vladimir Putin ‘will answer’ for the death of her husband in custody and vowed that the Russian President’s ‘evil regime’ will soon meet its downfall.
FILE – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny gestures as he stands in a cage in the Babuskinsky District Court in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021
This photo taken from video released by Russian Federal Penitentiary Service shows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny via a video link from the Arctic penal colony in Kharp, Kovrov, Russia, on Feb. 15, 2024
In Berlin, 500 to 600 people gathered in front of the Russian embassy chanting ‘Putin is a killer’ in a mixture of Russian, German and English
Protesters hold a vigil in Berlin to demonstrate against the death of Navalny that was announced today
In a defiant and emotional speech at the Munich Security Conference today, Yuliya Navalnaya held back her tears to declare: ‘(Navalny) would have been here, in this hall.
‘I don’t know whether you believe the awful news that we received – just from Russian state sources. Because for many years we have not been able to believe Putin and his government, they always lie.
‘But if it’s true I want Putin, his whole crew and all of his friends to know that will answer for what they have done to our country, my family and my husband. That day will come very soon.
‘And I call on the international community, the people in this room, and people everywhere that we fight and beat this evil, this terrible regime in Russia led by Vladimir Putin. They are to be personally held responsible for all the horrible things they have done to us.’
